A FINE AND RARE 'JUN' PURPLE-SPLASHED DISH SONG DYNASTY

sturdily potted with low sides and lipped everted rim, applied overall with a pale lavender-blue glaze thinning to a mushroom colour at the rim, the interior liberally splashed with striking purple transmuting in some places to copper-green, the base with three spur marks

In excellent condition with the exception of approx. twenty burst glaze bubbles across the whole surface of the dish, a 0.4 x 0.2cm iron spot to the interior near the everted rim, and other impurities to the body rising to copper-green spots in the interior (the largest measuring 0.5 x 0.5cm). The glaze with a subtle crackle throughout and the base with three spur marks. One spur mark with a 0.5 x 0.4cm black iron spot near it.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present 'Jun' dish is remarkable for its rich and attractively distributed splashes of deep reddish-purple on the soft grey-blue glaze. It retains the elegance and ethereal quality characteristic of 'Jun' wares in its simple form and thick translucent glaze, while capturing a sense of spontaneity through the vibrant splashes. These multi-hued splashes also create an added sense of depth and movement through their irregular forms and gradation of colour that has been skilfully achieved by careful manipulation of the pigment and firing process. Liberally splashed pieces such as the present dish appear to have particularly appealed to the elite from the Jin period (1115-1234) due to their resemblance with calligraphy and continued to inspire the decoration of later vessels.

A related dish of slightly larger dimensions is illustrated in A Panorama of Ceramics in the Collection of the National Palace Museum. Chun Ware, Taipei, 1999, pl. 57; and another was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 20^th October 2002, lot 300. Compare two slightly smaller dishes illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelain of the Song Dynasty (I), Hong Kong, 1996, pls 226 and 230; two examples from the collection of William Cleverly Alexander, sold in these rooms, 6^th May 1931, lots 144 and 150, the former sold most recently in our Hong Kong rooms, 18^th November 1998, lot 857, and the latter now in the Sir Percival David collection held in the British Museum, London, published in Mary Tregear, Song Ceramics, London, 1982, col. pl. 17. See also a magnificent splashed 'Jun' dish included in the exhibition The World of Ceramics, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, 1982, cat. no. 105; and another sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 30^th October 2002, lot 300, and again in these rooms, 10^th November 2010, lot 182.